Matthew Macleod

I think it's a good one too.

It is really too bad that the Lappland piece was never properly designed and produced by appropriate professionals in the field of medal making (same with Lorient but since it wasn't an officially sanctioned piece, I kinda understand). It would no doubt be a handsome piece next to its older brothers in one's collection. Not that I am a purist but it's bit of an eyesore next to the other shields. Still...a piece of historical value and significance for historians and collectors alike..

That's a good thing, or I should say it's good the piece is not marked for Souval. Might be just me, but I think you got two very nice originals here. I'd love to have them in my collection.

Is there a mark on the medal's ribbon ring? I like the medal. I like its details. The fact that it features burnished highlights (swastika & verso lettering) is a good thing. I don;t think I have seen that feature on fakes with the exception of early Souval knock-offs.

I don't see any red flags, at least from those pics. Why do you have doubts? Anything in particular?

Unfortunately the Spanish Cross as posted by OP is a reproduction.

Picture courtesy H. Weitze. Picture courtesy H. Weitze.

A reproduction badge, unfortunately.

I think you will find upon closer examination that not only the verso of the cross is silvered but the entire cross part (front and back). As for the crown+2 crosses part on the front- it's just bronze base metal with no gold gilding on top. You are right that the piece is cast as visible by the line running through the crown at 11 o'clock below. Some claim it to be a Souval product, some say S&L. I think it's just a faker's fake- why would a big medal manufacturer decide to cast their products for the post war market nonetheless (Souval & S/L did not supply them before 1945 to the best of my knowledge).

Did the buyer explain why he thinks this is a reproduction in his opinion? I can't see any red flags from those two photos but that's just me.

The original example of this pin that I have seen, featured slightly uneven lettering to both sides. It was also individually numbered on the verso with a font resembling that of a Golden Party Badge. Also, the blue enamel filled the voids between the star's rays- those areas that have taken on a white/silver hue (plating?) on the above example. Unmarked, with a "Ges. Gesch." on the verso. Even though the pin in question was a ground-dug example and not in the best of shapes, it did feature what appeared to be a translucent blue enamel surrounded by a opaque white one, like the one above. To date, it was the only one that I believe was an original example of this badge. Unfortunately, it was not available for purchase.

Maybe. Funny thing is- Wagner never awarded himself with a Gau Baden badge. Not a common trend amongst the Gauleiter crowd. Perhaps trying to emulate his Leader?

Not original pieces, unfortunately.

This one is a fantasy item as well, I take it?

Can't see the stippling pattern as well as some verso parts.

I wouldn't touch it. At least based on those pics.

Unfortunately, all of the above medals are not genuine items.

IMO, a tinnie for Sicher wie Jold- International Association of Artists founded in 1904. The skull motif has to do with their motto: "Treu in Freund und treu in Leid". Hope that helps.

For some reason, in your pic no.4 the lower arm of the swastika shows white instead of black enamel, even though it is undoubtedly the same piece. Weird...

All reproduction items, unfortunately.

1936 Reichsparteitag Abzeichen

I believe he also received a presentation version of a Walther pistol for a shooting competition.

A fake badge unfortunately.

Admittedly my knowledge on the subject is not where it should be but are we really sure that Hamburg America Line was the maker of aforementioned pins? Seems like a lot of work for a shipping enterprise vs ordering the pins from established pin/medal/award maker.